Apparatus and method for parting binding strings surrounding wool fleeces



June 1965 s. WILKINSON ETAL 3,186,614

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PARTING BINDING STRINGS SURROUNDING WOOLFLEECES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 1965 5% 0 30 Z 3 Wm 5 mw g mw My99H an w ya aeea %aeee z aeeaee ea H l I I 0 A+ Hul l II .(J I 5 W QQQQewes /w @a qae 55% s. WILKINSON? ETAL 3 ,186,614

June 1, 1965 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PARTING armmez smwes SURROUNDINGWOOL FLEECES 4: Sheets-Sheet 2:

Filed NOV. 1, 1965 INVENTOES: STANLEY Wm ms0N 2nd DEWEY B. COOK BY 3 AoRNEYs June 1, 1965 s. WILKINSON ETAL 3,186,614

' APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PARTING BINDING STRINGS SURROUNDING WOOLFLEECES Filed Nov. 1, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 d DEWEY B. COOK 1 57-77 I BYmmhm ka 4W ATTORNEYS ENTORS STAN LEY Mi NSON n 1965 s. WILKINSON ETALAPPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PARTING BINDING STRINGS SURROUNDING WOOLFLEECES Filed Nov. 1, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS.

STANLEY \Nuxmsou ZntZ DEWEY B. COOK A T TO ENE KS United States PatentAPPARATUS AND METHGD-FOR PARTING BIND- ING STRINGS URROUNDING WUOLFLEECES Stanley Wilkinson, Johnsonville, and Dewey B. Cook,

Camden, S.C., assignors to Wellman Cornbing Company, Johnsonville, S.C.,a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 320,785 15Claims. (Cl. 225-100) As soon as a sheep is sheared, its Wool is rolledup and bound together with at least one loop of string to form a fleecewhich remains bundled together until the wool is processed. The presentinvention relates to an improved method and apparatus for parting theloops of string which normally surround and bind the wool fleecestogether so that the strings may then be easily removed prior toprocessing of the wool.

Heretofore, before the processing of the wool fleeces begins, it hasbeen the normal practice to manually cut the loops of string whichsurround each wool fleece and thereafter remove the strings therefrom.This manual cutting of the binding strings is a time-consuming andcostly operation and, as can be appreciated, depends upon the skill andreliability of the string cutters to assure the cutting of all thestrings and the cutting of the strings without damaging the wool fibers.

With the foregoing inmind, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus and method for parting the loops ofstring binding the wool fleeces which reliably assures the parting ofthe loops.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand method of parting the binding strings of wool fleeces whichessentially includes moving the wool fleeces along a predetermined path,engaging two spaced apart portions of each string loop, and advancingone of the engaged .portions of the string loop at a faster rate thanthe other engaged portion to thus apply suflicient tension to the loopto part the same.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method which not only parts the loops around wool fleecesbut also opens the wool fleeces in preparation for further processing,such as cleaning and scouring of the wool, which necessitates the woolfleeces being in open condition.

Itis 'a further specific object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for parting the binding strings of wool fleeces which includesa pair of conveyor belts that are positioned in superposed relationshipwith one reach of one belt juxtapositioned relative to one reach of theother belt, the juxtapositioned reaches moving in a common direction andconverging toward each other, each conveyor belt being provided withoutwardly extending curved finger elements which engage spaced portionsof the string loops as the fleeces are carried between thejuxtapositioned reaches, the conveyor belts being moved at varyingspeeds, relative to each other, so that one engaged portion of eachstring loop is advance at a faster rate than another engaged portion topart the string loop.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of theapparatus for parting the binding strings of wool fleeces;

FIGURE 2 is aplan view of the apparatus looking downwardly on FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation looking at the left-hand end of FIGURE 1,and illustrating the input end of the apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail view takensubstantially along the line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view through the "ice longitudinalcenter of the apparatus, taken substantially along the line 55 in FIGURE2;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially along the line 6-6 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan view taken substantially along the line77 in FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, somewhat schematic, view illustrating themanner in which the string loops are engaged and parted by the curvedfingers on the conveyor belts, omitting the driving sprockets andconveyor chains.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 1-3 and 5, the main frame of theapparatus includes a pair of vertically disposed and spaced apart sidewalls 10 and 11. The side walls 10 and 11 are supported in an angularposition on the upper ends of respective legs 12 and 13 which areconnected together at their lower ends by suitable tie rods 14 (FIGURES1 and 3). The side walls 10 and 11 are provided with suitable accessopenings which are. normally covered by removable plates 15 and 16toprovide access to the inner portion of the apparatus for cleaning,maintenance repair and the like.

The upper portions of the side walls 10 and 11 are held in spacedrelationship by a pair of bridging .bars 17 which are connected atopposite ends to the upper portions of the side walls 10 and 11 andwhich support electric motors 20 and 21, for purposes to be presentlydescribed. A lower endless conveyor belt is supported between the sidewalls 10 and 1 1 and has transversely extending, spaced apart supportplates 26 (FIGURE 6) connected thereto. Channel members 27 are connectedto each of the support plates 26 and extend transversely of the lowerconveyor belt 25. The conveyor belt 25 is formed of flexible materialand the supportplates 26 and channel members 27 provide support acrossthe width of the belt 25.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the support plates 26 extend outwardly beyond theopposite side edges of the conveyor belt 25 and are suitably connectedto inwardly extending ear portions 30 and 31 of respective conveyorchains 32 and 33. The conveyor chains 32 and 33 are provided withrespective rollers 34 and 35 at the junction of each link (FIGURES 4 and6). As the rollers 34, 35 move along the upper reach of the lowerconveyor, they engage and roll along the upper surface of respectiverail members 36 and 37 which have vertical flanges that are connected tothe respective side walls 10 and 11 (FIG- URE 6). The rail members 36and 37 support the upper reach of the lower conveyor and prevent saggingof the upper reach as it moves.

Transversely extending spaced apart rows of string breaking fingerelements 40 are carried by the lowerconveyor belt 25 and extendoutwardly therefrom (FIG- URES 4 and 6). As shown in FIGURE 4, thesefinger elements 46 are curved at their outer ends in the direction ofmovement of the lower conveyor belt 25 and they are preferablyoval-shaped in cross-section with no sharpened edges which would cut thewool fibers. ,It is preferred that the rows of finger elements 40 beconnected to alternate ones of the transverse support plates .26 andchannel members 27 along the lower conveyor belt 25. The inner portionsare provided with reduced stern portions which are threaded at theirends and extend through coneshaped spacers 41 (FIGURE 6), the lowerconveyor belt 25, thesupport bars 26, and the channel members 27. A'nut42 is screwed on the inner end of the reduced stem portion of each ofthe finger elements 40 ,to secure the same in position on the lowerconveyor belt 25 and to also support the support bars 26 and channelmembers 27 on the conveyor belt 25.

The conveyor chains 32 and 33 are supported at the input end of thelower conveyor on spaced apart sprockets 45 whichare in turn fixed on ashaft 46. The shaft 46 is supported for rotation adjacent opposite endsin bearings 48 and 49 which are supported in the respective side wallswand 11 for longitudinal adjustment relative to the upper and lowerreaches of the lower conveyor belt 25. The conveyor chains 32, 33 aresupported at the discharge end of thelower conveyor on spacedapartsprockets 50 which are in turn fixed on a drive shaft 51. The driveshaft 51 is suitably'supported for rotationadjacent opposite ends in theside walls 10 and 11 and the end of the drive shaft 51 which extendsoutwardly beyond the side wall 10 has a sprocket 52 fixed thereto(FIGURE 1). An endless drive chain 53 engages the sprocket 52 and adriving sprocket 54 which is fixed on the output shaft of the electricmotor 20. Thus, with rotation of the electric motor 20, rotationisimparted to the lower conveyor belt 25 in a clockwise direction inFIGURES and 8. a

A pair of guard plates 56 and 57 (FIGURE 3) are suitably secured attheir outer edges to the inner surfaces of the respective side walls and11 and extend inwardly therefrom in overlying relationship aboveportions of the respective conveyor chains 32. and 33. A pair of fleeceguide boards 58 and 59 (FIGURE 3) are supported on the inner ends ofrespective support rods 60 and 61 which are suitable secured at theirouter ends to the respective side walls 10 and 11. The guide boards 58and 59 overlie the opposite edges of the lower conveyor belt 25, theirlower edges being spaced closely above the upper reach of the lowerconveyor belt 25 and their upper edges being shaped to conform to thelower reach of an upper conveyor belt 65.

The upper conveyor belt 65 is formed of flexible mate rial and hassupport plates. 66 and channel members 67 spaced therealong andextending transversely thereof. Opposite ends of the support plates 66(FIGURE6) extend outwardly beyond the opposite edges of the conveyorbelt 65 and .are suitably connected to inwardly extending ear portions70 and 71 of respective conveyor chains 72 and 73. The conveyor chains72 and 73 are provided with respective rollers 74 and 75 at the junctionof each link and these rollers engage the lower surfaces of rail members76 and 77 which have vertical flanges that are suitably secured to therespective side walls 10 and 11. The rail members 76 and 77 support thelower reach of the upper conveyor belt 65 and prevent upward movement ofthe lower reach as the wool fleeces pass between the upper and lowerconveyors, in a manner to be presently described.

Transversely extending, spaced apart rows of string breaking fingerelements 80 are supported in each of the support plates 66 and channelmembers 67. The finger elements 80 are curved at their outer ends in adirection opposite the direction of movement of the upper conveyor belt65 and they are each provided with a reduced inner stem portion (FIGURE6) which extends througha flat washer80a, the conveyor belt65, thesupport bar 66 and the channel member 67. The finger elements 80 areheld in position by nuts 82 which are threaded on the inner stemportions thereof. a

As is most clearly shown in FIGURES 5 and 8, the outer ends of everyfifth transverse, row of finger elements 80 extend further outwardlyfrom the conveyor belt 65 than theflintervening'four rows, these fifthrows of finger elements 80 being provided with cone-shaped spacers 83,which are similar to the cone-shaped spacers 41 associated with thefinger elements 40 of the lower conveyor belt 25. Also, it will be notedthat the distance between the transverse rows o-ffinger elements 80 isabout half. as greatas the distance between transverse rows offingerelements 40 and that the finger elements of each conveyor belt arealined longitudinally, however, the

, longitudinal rows of finger elements 80' are positioned l to passbetween the longitudinal rows of finger elements 40 (FIGURES 2, 3 and6).

At the, input end of the upper conveyor, the chains '72. and 73 engagespaced sprockets 85 which are in turn fixed on a shaft 86.. Oppositeends of the shaft 86 are suitably supported for rotation in bearings 88and 89 which are in turn supported in the respective side walls It) and11 for longitudinal adjustment relative to the upper and lower reachesof the upper conveyor belt 65. The discharge. ends of the conveyorchains 72, 73 are supported on spaced drive sprockets. 90 which are inturn fixed on a drive shaft 91. Opposite ends of the drive shaft 91 aresuitably supported for rotation in the respective side walls .10 and 11and the end of the drive shaft 91 which extends outwardly beyond theside wall 11 has a sprocket 92' fixed thereon (FIGUREZ). A chain 93engages the sprocket 92 and a drive sprocket 94 which is fixed ontheoutput shaft of the electric motor 21. Thus, when the electric motor 21is rotated, the upper conveyor belt 65 is moved in a counterclockwisedirection, as indicated by the arrows in FIGURES 5 and 8, at apredetermined speed.

It is preferred that the lower conveyor belt25 and its bank of fingers40 be moved about three times faster than the upper conveyor belt 65 andits bank off fingers 80, it being understood that the speed can bevaried as desired. It will be noted in FIGURES 5 and8 that thejuxtapositioned upper reachof the lower conveyor belt 25 and the lowerreach of the upper conveyor belt 65 converge as they move toward thedischarge end of the apparatus. At the input end, the correspondingreaches of the belts are spaced apart a greater distance than thecombined length of the finger elements so that the inner ends of thefingers on one belt arespaced from the inner ends of the fingers on theother belt. However, at the discharge end the: corresponding reaches. ofthe belts are closer together and the fingers on one belt pass betweenthe fingers on the other belt, the inner ends of the fingers almosttouching the opposite con veyor belt. As shown in FIGURE 5, the lowerconveyor belt 25 is substantially longer than the upper. conveyor 65 andapproximately one-third of its'length extends outwardly beyond the upperconveyor 65at the input end, the discharge ends of the two conveyorsbeing in substantial alinement. The input end of the lower conveyor belt25 extends outwardly beyond the end of the upper conveyor belt 65 tofacilitate the-placement of the wool fleeces F thereon, preferablybymeansfof a conveyor system, not shown.

The upper reach of the lower conveyor belt 25 is suppported at aninclined angle of-thirty degrees from the floor on which the machinerests (FIGURE 5) and the fleeces F are carried upwardly 'bythefingerelements 4t) and discharged as the conveyor belt passes around thesprockets 50. When a stream of bound wool fleeces F is fed onto theinput end of the lower conveyor belt 25,; they are carried upwardlybetween the upper reach of the lower conveyor belt 25 and the. lowerreach of the upper conveyor belt 65 so that the corresponding fingerelements engage different points of the loops of string S which are tiedabout the 'wool fleeces F.

Since the lower conveyor belt 25'moves much faster than the upperconveyor belt 65, the corresponding finger e1ements,'which are engagingthe. spaced points of the loop of string, are separated and move furtherapart to break or part the loop of string 8, as is best shown in FIGURE8.' The .woolfleecesare discharged from be. tween the conveyor .beltsinopen condition andthey are preferably fed onto a conveyor system,not'shown, where the broken strings S can .be easily removed as thespread out wool fibers are carried along the conveyor stream for furtherprocessing. Since the conveyor belts converge to the point that theouter ends of the finger elements on the belt pass between the fingerelements on the other belt, allot the loops of string are engaged by thefinger elements and are parted. The passage of the lower finger elementsbetween the upper finger elements provides a raking action through thefleeces which assures the parting of any loops of string which areembedded in the fleeces and also opens up the wool fleeces so that theymay be more easily processed in subsequent operations.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not forpurpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in theclaims.

We claim:

1. .In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into abundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops ofstring, comprising the steps of (a) moving a stream of bound woolfleeces along a predetermined path of travel, while (b) engaging eachofthe loops of string at two spaced apart points, and

(c) parting the loops of string by moving the two engaged points furtherapart.

2. In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into abundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops ofstring, comprising the steps of (a) moving a stream of bound woolfleeces along a predetermined path of travel and between two banks offinger-elements, while (b) engaging each of the loops of string at twospaced apart points by at least one finger element of each bank, and

(c) parting the loops of string by increasing the spaced relationshipbetween the finger elements engaging the two .points of the loop.

In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into a bundleby one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops of string,comprising the steps of (a) movinga stream of bound wool fleeces along apredetermined path of travel and between two banks of finger elementsmoving at difl'erent speeds and in a common direction,

(b) engaging each of the loops of string at two spaced apart points byat least one finger element of each bank, and

(c) parting the loops of string by moving the finger elements engagingthe two spaced points further apart.

4. In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into abundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops ofstring, comprising the steps of (a) moving a stream of bound woolfleeces along a predetermined path of travel and between two banks ofconvergingly arranged finger elements moving at different speeds and ina common direction,

(b) engaging each of the loops of string at two spaced apart points byat least one .finger element of each bank, and

(c') parting the loops of string by convergingly moving the fingerelements engaging the two spaced points at different relative speeds.

5. In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into abundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops ofstring, comprising the steps of (a) moving a stream of bound woolfleeces along on a conveyor belt moving at a predetermined speed andhaving a bank of finger elements extending into the wool fleeces, while(b) engaging the loops of string at first points by the finger elementsof the conveyor,

() engaging the loops of string at second points by 5 other fingerelements that are spaced from the finger elements on the conveyor, and

(d) parting the loops of string by increasingthe spaced relationshipbetween the finger elements engaging the first and second points of theloops.

6. In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into abundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops ofstring, comprising the steps of (a) feeding a stream of bound woolfleeces between the juxtapositioned reaches of a pair'of conveyor belts,each of said conveyor belts having a bank of outwardly extending fingerelements carried thereby,

(b) moving the juxtapositioned reaches of'the conveyor belts atdifferent speeds and in a common direction, while (0) engaging the loopsof string at first points by the finger elements of one of said conveyorbelts,

(d) engaging the loops of string at second points by the finger elementsof the other of said conveyor belts, and

(e) parting the loops of string byincreasing the spaced relationshipbetween the finger elements engaging the first and second points of theloops.

7. In the processing of wool fleeces, each of which is bound into abundle by one or more loops of string, a method of parting the loops ofstring, comprising the steps of v (a) feeding a stream of bound woolfleeces between the convergingly arranged and juxtapositioned reaches ofa pair of conveyor belts, each of said conveyor belts having .a bank ofoutwardly extending curved finger elements carried thereby, the fingerelements of said conveyor belts being curved in opposite directions,

-(b) moving the juxtapositioned reaches of the conveyor belts atdiflerent speeds and in a common direction, while (0) engaging the loopsof string at first points with the forward portions of the fingerelements that are curved in the directionof movement of said conveyorbelts,

-(d) engaging the loops of string at second points with the rearwardportions of the finger elements that are curved in a direction-oppositethe direction of movement of said conveyor belts, and

(e) parting the loops of string by convergingly moving the fingerelements engaging the first and second points whileincreasing thespaced'relationship therebetween.

8. An apparatus for processing wool fleeces, each of which is bound intoa bundle by one or more loops of string, said apparatus including meansfor passing wool fleeces therethrough and parting the loops of string,said loop parting means comprising (a) a pair of conveyor 'beltssupported for movement with one reach of one conveyor belt being juXtapositioned relative to the corresponding reach of the other conveyorbelt,

(b) means for driving said conveyor belts in opposite directions wherebythe juxtapositioned reaches move in a common direction and for drivingone of said conveyor belts at a faster speed than the other conveyorbelt,

(0) outwardly extending finger elements carried by each of said conveyorbelts,

(d) the corresponding reaches of said conveyor belts converging towardeach other and the finger elements of one reach passing between thefinger elements of the other reach at the discharge end, and

(e) the finger elements of the 'two conveyor belts being positioned toengage spaced points of the loops of string and to part the loops ofstring as the loop engaging finger elements move further apart withcontinued movement of the conveyor belts.

9. An apparatus for processing wool fleeces, each of which is bound intoa bundle by one or more loops of string, said apparatus including meansfor passing wool fleeces therethrough and parting the loops of string,said loop artingmeans comprising (a) a pair of conveyor beltssupportedfor movement with one reach of one conveyor belt being juxtaapositioned relative to the corresponding reach of "the other conveyorbelt,

(b) meansv for driving said conveyor belts in opposite directionswhereby the juxtapositioned reaches move in a common direction and fordriving one of said conveyor belts at a faster speed than the other aconveyor belt,

(c) outwardly extending curved finger, elements carried by each of saidconveyor belts, the finger elements on the faster moving conveyor beltbeing curved in the direction of movement of said faster moving conveyorbelt and the finger elements of the slower moving conveyor belt beingcurved in an opposite direction, and

(d) the finger elements of the two conveyor belts being positioned toengage spaced points of the loops of string and to part the loops ofstring as the loop engaging finger elements move further apart withcontinued movement of the conveyor belts.

10. An apparatus for processing wool fleeces, each of which is boundinto a bundle by one or more loops of string, said apparatus includingmeans for passing wool fleeces therethrough and parting the loops ofstring, said loop parting means comprising a (a) a pair of conveyorbelts supported for movement 7 with one reach of one conveyor beltjuxtapositioned relative to the corresponding reach of the otherconveyor belt,

(b) means for driving said conveyor belts in opposite directions wherebythe juxtapositioned reaches move in a common direction and for drivingone of said conveyor belts at a faster speed than the other conveyorbelt,

(c) outwardly extending finger elements carried by each of said conveyorbelts,

(d) the juxtapositioned reaches of said conveyor belts being spacedapart and converging toward each other in the direction of theirmovement, the juxtapositioned reaches being spaced apart at the inputend a distance greater than the combined length of the fingers on bothbelts whereby the free ends ofthe fingers of one reach are spaced fromthe free ends of the fingers of the other reach, and the juxtapositionedreaches being spaced apart at the discharge end a lesser distance thanthe combined length of the fingers on both belts and with the free endsof the fingers on one belt passing between the fingers on the otherbelt, and

(e) the finger elements of the two conveyor belts being positioned toengage spaced points of the loops of string and to part the loops ofstring as the loop engaging finger elements of one reach lag behind theloop engaging fingerelements of the other reach.

11. An'apparatus for processing wool fleeces, each of which is boundinto a bundle by one or more loops of string, said apparatus includingmeans for passing wool fleeces therethrough and parting the loops ofstring, said loop parting means comprising (a) a frame,

(b) a lower conveyor supported for movement on said frame,

(c) an upper conveyor belt supported for movement on said frame with itslower reach overlying the corresponding upper reach of said lowerconveyor belt,

(d) means for driving said conveyor belts in opposite directions wherebythe corresponding reaches move in a common direction and for drivingsaid lower conveyor belt at a faster, speed than said upper conveyorbelt, I

(e) outwardly extending finger elements carried by each of said conveyorbelts,

(f) the corresponding reaches of said conveyor belts being spaced apartand converging toward each other in the direction of their movement, thecorresponding reaches being spaced apart at the input end a distancegreater than the combined length of the fingers on both belts wherebythe free ends of the fingers of onereach are spaced from the free endsof the fingers of the other reach, and the corresponding reaches beingspaced apart at the discharge end a lesser distance than the combinedlength. of the fingers on both belts and with the free ends of thefingers on one belt passing between the fingers ontheother belt, and

(g) the finger elements of the two conveyor belts being positioned toengage spaced points of the loops of string and to part the loops ofstring as the loop engaging finger elements of vthe lower reach of saidupper conveyor belt lag behind the loop engaging finger elements of theupper. reach of said lower conveyor belt;

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein substantially one-thirdof the length of said lower conveyor extends outwardly beyond theinputend of said upper conveyor belt to provide a space for feeding woolfleeces onto said lower conveyor belt.

13. An apparatus according to claim llwherein said finger elements arearranged in spaced rows extending transversely of both conveyorbelts,-and the space between the trows offingers on said lower conveyoris substantially two times asv great as the space between the rows offingers on said upper conveyor;

14. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the upper reach of saidlower conveyor is supported at an inclined angle of substantially thirtydegrees, from the horizontal. I t

15. Antapparatus for processing wool fleeces, each of which is boundinto a bundle by one or more loops of string, said apparatus includingmeans for passing wool fleeces therethrough and parting thet loops ofstring, said loop parting means comprising (a) a frame,

(b) a lower conveyor supported for movement on said frame and having anupper reach supported at an inclined angle of substantially thirtydegrees from the horizontal,

(c) an upper conveyor belt supported for movement on said frame with itslower reach overlying the upper reach of the said lower conveyor belt,

(d) means for driving said conveyor belts in opposite directions wherebythe corresponding reaches move in a common direction and for drivingsaid lower conveyor belt at a faster speed than said upper conveyorbelt,

(e) outwardly extending finger elements carried by each of said conveyorbelts and arranged in spaced rows extending transversely thereof,

(f) thecorresponding reaches of said conveyor belts being spaced apartand converging toward each other in the direction of their movement, theinput end of the lower reach of the upper conveyor being spaced abovethe upper reach of the lower conveyor a distance greater than thecombined length of the fingers on both belts whereby the free ends ofthe fingers of one reach 'are'spaced from the free ends of the fingersof the otherreach, and the corresponding reaches being spaced apart atthe discharge end a lesser distance than the combined length of thefingers on bothbelts'andwith the free ends of the fingers on one beltpassing between the fingers on the other belt,

sneer-s14 (g) the transversely extending rows of fingers on said lowerconveyor belt being spaced twice as far apart as the rows of fingers onsaid upper conveyor belt,

(h) said lower conveyor belt extending outwardly beyond the input end ofsaid upper conveyor belt to provide a space for feeding wool fleecesonto said lower conveyor belt, and

(i) the finger elements of the two conveyor belts being positioned toengage spaced points of the loops of string and to part the loops ofstring as the loop engaging finger elements of the lower reach of said1% upper conveyor belt lag behind the loop engaging finger elements ofthe upper reach of said lower conveyor belt.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ANDREW R. JUHASZ,Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,186,614 June 1, 1965 Stanley Wilkinson et a1.

It is hereby certified that err ent requiring correction and that thcorrected below.

or appears in the a bove numbered pate said Letters Pate nt should readas Column 3, line 27, for "suitable" rea column 4, line 25, for "of dsuitably for "arting" f" read of column 7, line 5, read parting Signedand sealed this 19th day of October 1965.

iEAL) ttest:

RNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER testing Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. IN THE PROCESSING OF WOOL FLEECES, EACH OF WHICH IS BOUND INTO ABUNDLE BY ONE OR MORE LOOPS OF STRING, A METHOD OF PARTING THE LOOPS OFSTRING, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF (A) MOVING A STREAM OF BOUND WOOLFLEECES ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH OF TRAVEL, WHILE (B) ENGAGING EACH OFTHE LOOPS OF STRING AT TWO SPACED APART POINTS, AND (C) PARTING THELOOPS OF STRING BY MOVING THE TWO ENGAGED POINTS FURTHER APART.